Notes from Asia strong at Lyn Knight IPMS auction

By Arthur L. Friedberg

Published: Jun 25, 2017, 11 AM

chinese-10000-cash-notes-lka-2017-ipms-lead

Notes from Asia did particularly well in the world notes sessions of Lyn Knight’s IPMS auction in Kansas City.

Original images courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions.

This Extremely Fine Chinese 10,000-cash note from 1855 was one of two similar notes in Lyn Knight Auctions’ sale at the recent International Paper Money Show. This example was hammered at $14,000.

Image courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions.

The world paper money auction by Lyn Knight at the Kansas City International Paper Money Show on June 8 had 876 lots that literally went from A to Z.

Particular strength was shown by items from Asia and the Middle East, with many of the top notes equaling or exceeding their estimates. As usual, the British Commonwealth was well-represented, along with colonial issues of other European powers.

Connect with Coin World:

The best lot was saved for last. A Paper Money Guaranty Very Fine 20 Net 1916 Zanzibar 10-rupee note sold for $21,000 plus the 17.5 percent buyer’s fee. This elusive issue is only the second-graded example recorded. Close behind at a $20,000 hammer price was a key $100 British Caribbean Territories issue of Jan. 20, 1963, graded VF-20. An About Uncirculated 58 punch-canceled uniface specimen Japanese 200-yen note from 1927 garnered $15,000.

Two nearly identical Extremely Fine Chinese 10,000-cash notes from 1855 that the cataloger forthrightly admitted could not be third-party graded, and for which there was a lack of information, were each estimated at $2,000 to $3,000 and offered “as is.” The market did its research, however, and the notes ended up going for $14,000 and $13,000.

Lowest mintage American Eagle, a counterfeit 1902-O Morgan dollar struck to circulate: Another column in the July 10 Coin World examines a “ghostly” Kennedy half dollar

An undated Qatar and Dubai 25-riyal note from the 1960s was called one of the most important types from all of the Middle East. It sold for $12,000 in PCGS Currency VF-25 PPQ.

A separate session just for 189 rarities from Colombia and 93 from the Philippines was held on June 9. This session was led by a Colombian Banco de Barranquilla 10-peso note dated June 12, 1900, with a paddle-wheel steamer on the face. It was graded Very Fine+ and reached $5,500.

The Philippine section was dominated by bank notes issued during the period of American involvement from 1903 to World War II. Based on their designs, reminiscent of U.S. currency, and history, these notes would have had an appeal to U.S. collectors as well as Philippine specialists.